Llanelli station set for £multi‑million transport hub after councillors approve plans

The multimodal interchange will be built on land south of the station, where Great Western Crescent, Copperworks Road, Station Road and Trinity Terrace meet. Planning officers told the committee the current layout offers little in the way of onward travel and suffers from a lack of formal parking, with buses, taxis, cars and pedestrians competing for space.

What’s planned

The approved scheme will introduce a one‑way internal road layout with defined lanes for buses and taxis, 30 marked parking bays — three with electric charging points — and a dedicated taxi rank. Covered bus shelters will sit outside the station entrance, while new pedestrian crossings, raised tables and shared‑use paths will give walkers and cyclists safer routes.

Cycle parking for 22 bikes, rain gardens and compensatory tree planting are also promised as part of the council’s green infrastructure plan.

Artist’s impression of the proposed Llanelli Multi‑Modal Interchange showing new bus stops with green‑roof shelters, redesigned car park with EV charging bays, and improved pedestrian crossings south of the railway station.
(Image: Carmarthenshire Council)

Committee reaction

The application was approved at Carmarthenshire Council’s planning committee on December 16. Members backed the scheme after hearing it would create a safer, clearer interchange and support wider regeneration.

Cllr Terry Davies, Tyisha ward, told the meeting:

“This is an exciting improvement for the area, making the station a proper gateway again.”

Cllr Michael Thomas, Pembrey ward, said:

“It’s a really good development that will benefit travellers across the line.”

Cllr Russell Sparks added:

“It’s a wonderful scheme — and with Christmas in mind, one more gift for Llanelli from this Plaid‑led council.”

Flood safeguards and wider context

The site lies within defended flood zones 2 and 3. Natural Resources Wales raised no objection, but required drainage conditions and flood response planning.

The hub has been developed with Network Rail and Transport for Wales, and officers said it will act as a gateway linking the town centre with strategic projects such as the £200m Pentre Awel health and leisure development at Delta Lakes.

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Swansea’s future mapped out: new transport hub, market revamp and cultural quarter in draft city centre plan

Swansea could be about to undergo its biggest city centre shake‑up in a decade — with a new transport hub, a revamped market, and even a cultural quarter all on the table.

The draft Swansea City Centre Placemaking Plan, presented to councillors this week, sets out how the city centre and waterfront could be transformed over the next 8–10 years. It replaces the 2016 regeneration framework and covers everything from the Civic Centre site to the top of High Street.

A city carved into five zones

The plan doesn’t treat the city centre as one lump of concrete and shops — instead, it breaks it down into five distinct “Action Areas,” each with its own character and proposals:

  • The Core: The beating heart of Swansea, where retail, leisure and nightlife collide. Here the council wants to reinforce a thriving shopping district, breathe new life into the Oxford Street arcades, and make Swansea Market a destination in its own right.
  • City Waterfront: Stretching from the Marina to the Civic Centre, this is about reconnecting Swansea to its seafront. Expect talk of new public squares, leisure attractions, and even an aquarium as part of the Civic Centre redevelopment.
  • Tawe Waterfront: Across the river, the old St Thomas railway station site is earmarked for housing, commercial space and community facilities — a new neighbourhood rising from the tracks.
  • City North: St Helen’s Road and its surroundings are seen as a gateway, with plans to improve connections and make the area more welcoming for residents and visitors.
  • Upper High Street/Dyfatty: The northern gateway, where the High Street station plaza could be transformed into a proper arrival point, linking seamlessly to a proposed transport hub at The Strand.
Map from Swansea City Centre Placemaking Plan showing five distinct regeneration zones: Upper High Street, City North, Tawe Waterfront, Core Area and City Waterfront. (Image: Swansea Council)

The big ideas

At the centre of the plan is a new transport hub on The Strand, just a stone’s throw from the railway station and facing the River Tawe. Councillors were told this could become the city’s main interchange, making it easier to move between trains, buses, and active travel routes.

Other “indicative concept” schemes include:

  • A facelift for Swansea Market, with better links to the Quadrant and surrounding streets.
  • Revitalised shopping arcades off Oxford Street.
  • Greener, safer public spaces with more trees, street furniture and public art.
  • A potential Cultural Quarter, celebrating Swansea’s identity and drawing visitors in with events, galleries and creative spaces.

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Councillors weigh in

At the scrutiny meeting, Cllr Michael Locke pressed for updates on the Civic Centre site, while regeneration team leader Gail Evans confirmed initial designs were ready and a report could follow in the new year.

Cllr Will Thomas praised the new central hub Y Storfa, which opened recently on Oxford Street, and asked if more city centre buildings could be repurposed for education and sport to drive footfall. Panel convenor Cllr Chris Holley warned that commercial viability remains a challenge, with many schemes needing public sector “gap funding” to stack up. He called for a workshop for all elected members, describing the plan as covering “a huge area.”

Council leader Rob Stewart said Swansea was “a different city” compared to 2016 and that it was time to refresh the plan.

What happens next

The draft placemaking plan will go before Cabinet in February 2026, followed by public engagement in March. Adoption as council policy is expected later in 2026, setting the stage for a decade of regeneration.

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#CivicCentre #Dyfatty #featured #HighStreet #homepage #planning #StHelensRoad #Swansea #SwanseaCityCentre #SwanseaCityCentrePlacemakingPlan #SwanseaCouncil #SwanseaHighStreetStation #SwanseaMarket #SwanseaRailwayStation #SwanseaTrainStation #TheStrand #TransportHub

New images reveal detail of Llanelli’s proposed transport hub as plans formally submitted

A greener, safer gateway

The full planning application, prepared by AtkinsRéalis, sets out how the southern side of the station would be transformed into a modern transport hub. The latest drawings show two new bus stops with cantilevered shelters topped by green roofs, real‑time passenger information boards, and a redesigned car park with 40 spaces, including bays for disabled users, motorbikes and electric vehicles.

A new 2‑metre wide footway would run through the site, linking Copperworks Road and Station Road, while a series of raised and uncontrolled pedestrian crossings are planned to make it easier and safer to move between the station, bus stops and surrounding streets. Cycle users would benefit from a 22‑space covered bike shelter, also designed with a green roof.

Landscaping is a key part of the design, with existing poor‑quality scrub and hedgerow replaced by semi‑mature tree planting to screen the site from nearby homes. The plans also include bioretention areas to manage surface water and improve biodiversity.

Artist’s impression of the proposed Llanelli Multi‑Modal Interchange showing new bus stops with green‑roof shelters, redesigned car park with EV charging bays, and improved pedestrian crossings south of the railway station.Artist’s impression of the proposed Llanelli Multi‑Modal Interchange showing new bus stops with green‑roof shelters, redesigned car park with EV charging bays, and improved pedestrian crossings south of the railway station.

Public backing

The consultation report shows that 88% of respondents believed Llanelli would benefit from the interchange, with more than four in five saying it would encourage them to use public transport more often.

One resident commented that the hub would “finally bring buses and trains together in one place,” while another said it would “make the station feel like a proper gateway to the town rather than a back entrance.”

Concerns were raised about whether the bus facilities would be fully used, given the current limited services on Station Road. The council’s response was that the interchange is designed for future growth, particularly with developments such as Pentre Awel expected to increase demand.

Other feedback led to changes in the final design: pedestrian crossings were revised, cycle shelters relocated, and the dimensions of disabled and EV bays adjusted.

Part of a wider regeneration picture

The interchange is not being developed in isolation. It is intended to complement the £200m Pentre Awel wellness and life science village, which opened its first phase earlier this year. The landmark development on Llanelli’s coastline is expected to create around 2,000 jobs and attract thousands of visitors, making improved transport links essential.

It also ties into Carmarthenshire Council’s new town centre masterplans for Llanelli, Ammanford and Carmarthen, which set out how empty buildings will be brought back into use, new homes created, and public spaces improved. The council has been clear that better transport connectivity is central to making town centres more vibrant and accessible.

Closer to the station itself, the demolition of the Four Tys housing blocks in Tyisha has now been completed, paving the way for a new mixed‑use development with modern housing, community facilities and green space. The interchange is seen as a vital link in reconnecting Tyisha with the town centre and wider region.

“Enhancing access to sustainable transport”

Cllr Edward Thomas, Carmarthenshire’s Cabinet Member for Transport, Waste and Infrastructure, said earlier this year:

“We are looking for feedback to help shape plans for Llanelli Multi‑Modal Interchange to ensure that we are providing an appropriate solution that enhances access to more sustainable transport opportunities to support Llanelli into the future.”

Next steps

If approved, the interchange would be built in phases alongside the existing station, with construction carefully managed to minimise disruption. The council says the project is a vital part of its strategy to reduce car dependency, improve access to jobs and education, and support the wider regeneration of Llanelli.

Related Llanelli regeneration stories

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#busStation #CarmarthenshireCouncil #CllrEdwardThomas #Llanelli #LlanelliRailwayStation #LlanelliTrainStation #LlanelliTransportHub #multiModalInterchange #PentreAwel #planningApplication #publicTransport #townCentreMasterplan #TransportHub #Tyisha

Neath’s transport hub plans sent back to the drawing board

Public says “no” to current design

The six‑week consultation earlier this year drew almost 1,900 responses, and the verdict was clear: residents did not believe the hub was necessary in its current form. Many argued that Neath already has the essentials — a train station, a bus station and a taxi rank — and questioned whether demolishing businesses and removing parking spaces could ever be justified. Others said the real problem was not infrastructure but the decline in bus services, with timetables cut back and evening services disappearing.

Concerns about cost, congestion and community impact

Respondents repeatedly raised the issue of value for money, describing the hub as a poor use of public funds at a time when the town centre is struggling to attract shops and investment. Traders feared that losing parking on Windsor Road and altering pedestrian routes would reduce footfall, while residents worried that re‑routing buses could worsen congestion on already busy streets. Safety was another recurring theme, with some fearing that a new interchange could become a magnet for anti‑social behaviour rather than a solution to it.

Councillors opt for a rethink, not a rush

Faced with such strong opposition, councillors agreed not to push ahead with the existing design. Instead, they backed a recommendation to reassess the scope of the project. Officers have been asked to explore alternative options, taking into account the concerns raised during consultation and the opportunities created by new Welsh Government transport policies. The aim is to bring back a scheme that is more ambitious, more collaborative, and more closely tied to Neath’s wider regeneration plans.

What the rethink will involve

Rather than a single blueprint, the council will now embark on a process of re‑design. This will mean looking again at the layout and scale of the hub, reviewing issues flagged by the newly appointed project team, and ensuring that any new proposal supports the town centre masterplan. Officers will also work closely with Network Rail, Welsh Government and Transport for Wales to see whether the railway station can be included in a fully integrated scheme. Active Travel links and wider placemaking goals will also be part of the conversation.

A chance to rebuild trust

By pausing the project, councillors hope to avoid pushing through a scheme that the community has already rejected. Instead, they say the next stage will be about listening, collaborating and designing something that genuinely improves transport while supporting Neath’s long‑term regeneration. Further public engagement is promised at key stages, giving residents another chance to shape the future of their town.

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Neath transport hub proposals could mean Victoria Gardens bus station move

The council say the proposal will relocate the existing bus station at Victoria Gardens to Neath railway station, creating a single transport hub in the town centre. Additionally, to help improve and integrate the active travel network into the public transport system, secured cycling facilities and dedicated cycling and walking routes will be added.

If approved, the council says the hub would redevelop the area around Station Square and would serve as a striking new gateway to Neath town centre, encouraging people to visit, shop, work and explore.

Artist’s impression of new Neath Transport HubArtist’s impression of new Neath Transport Hub

The council and its partners, Transport for Wales, Network Rail, and infrastructure experts Amey, want views on the proposals from businesses and members of the public. A public consultation is being held between 30th April and 11th June.

Three drop-in events are also planned at Neath library to allow members of the public to discuss the proposals between Tuesday 13 and Thursday 15 May.

#Neath #NeathRailwayStation #publicTransport #Transport #TransportHub

Neath Integrated Transport Hub - Neath Port Talbot Council

Neath Integrated Transport Hub Consultation

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